Antique New Hampshire Hepplewhite Fruitwood Slant Lid Desk With Classical Brass

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With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this wonderful antique slant lid writing … Read more With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this wonderful antique slant lid writing desk. We could not possibly be any prouder of the antique desk we now present as it is one of the finest examples of a traditional slant lid desk which we have ever been able to lay claim to. This desk has everything a collector could ever hope for when seeking out the perfect addition to their collection of fine American antiques. It is a product of a master furniture craftsman working in New Hampshire during the later part of the 18th century. There are many antique desks in circulation which are by all accounts rare and unique however there are varying considerations when determining just how rare an antique object is. An 18th century desk may be unquestionably rare as it retains qualities or aspects not commonly found on similar objects made within the same period. When giving due consideration to just how rare and important this desk which we now offer truly is there are several important factors which must be taken into account.

The first factor worth considering is the design which the overall piece adheres to. This desk is a rare interpretation of the American Hepplewhite style with a particular influence taken from the traditional furniture of late 18th century New Hampshire. Secondly, the primary materials used to construct the desk are just as important as the overall design. At first glance we were unsure if the desk is constructed from a rare grade of maple or perhaps applewood so we consulted with our antique restorer who has a far stronger command of varying types of wood. We concluded that this desk is a variety of fruitwood, perhaps pearwood, similar to examples we have had before from Central Massachusetts and the communities situated further north in lower New Hampshire. Additionally, any attributes intended to enhance the existing elements of the desk can propel an already rare desk into an even scarcer height of collectability. This desk features eight of the rarest Classical period brass pulls we have ever encountered which we will describe in further detail in the descriptive paragraph below.

The slant lid desk opens to reveal an interior complete with five drawers, six pigeonhole compartments, and two spaces for document storage. The drawer situated in the top center is constructed with a wonderful serpentine form which provides some sophistication to the primitive interior space. The lid of the desk features brass hinges, an inset lock, and breadboard ends that prevent seasonal changes or warping from occurring. The desk stands on arched spade feet which are an intriguing and rare attribute of the American Hepplewhite traditional design. The case is finished with a masterful technique that we have not previously encountered which vastly enhances the natural beauty of the fruitwood. The top of the desk features the exposed dovetailed case joinery which is important in understanding how the desk is constructed and the talents of the cabinetmaker who masterfully built this entire piece with only early hand tools. The backboards and underside of the desk have oxidized spectacularly throughout nearly two and a half centuries, and they display all the primitive charm expected of a significant early desk. Each drawer is expertly joined and fitted with brass escutcheons and important classical brass pulls. The pulls feature an embossed design of a classical woman seated upon a shoreline gazing outwards towards a sailing vessel while holding what we presume is an olive branch while a cornucopia, or horn of plenty, lay beside her next to a wooden barrel. This scenic depiction is undoubtedly an allegorical idolization with a possible connection to the successful war for American Independence which had just been secured around the time the desk was built. The brasses correspond to the original set of holes bored into the drawers and we can only assume the brasses are absolutely original. We strongly feel these brasses are significant in their own right and are collectively worth more than what we are offering the entire desk for. It is no secret that antique dealers seeking to squeeze every ounce of profit from an item commonly strip furniture of their brass and sell them off separately to realize the highest price possible. We are strongly against this practice as we feel immensely fortunate to be able to participate in the practice of collecting and selling antiques and feel a certain duty towards stewardship and the preservation of historical American antiques. This desk measures 39" wide x 17 1/2" deep x 41 3/4" tall with a clearance height of 31 1/4" beneath the lid when folded downward. See less